Highest elevation lakes & reservoirs in Idaho by altitude
While lake levels can flucuate frequently based on several circumstances, the altitude/elevation of a lake is based on its normal water level, measured by the lake’s surface distance above sea level. For a reservoir, this water level is also known as “full pond” or “full pool”.Low lake levels can occur due to deliberate seasonal draw downs for irrigation or impending snow melt, reduced water inflows, drought and evaporation, residential or commercial water demands, and hydropower generation. Some lakes’ minimum and maximum elevations are virtually the same. Lakes that generate hydropower may vary by several feet – according to power demand. Lakes whose primary purpose is to prevent flooding can seasonally vary by 100 feet or more. When some lakes reach their minimum elevation, their boat ramps may not be long enough to permit boat access – and boats docked on shallow parts of the lake may end up on dry ground. In those cases, kayakers and shore-based anglers may be among the few happy recreational users of the lake.
A lake’s highest water level, measured by the lake’s surface distance above sea level, that can occur during flooding. A lake’s highest possible maximum elevation is usually the top of the lake’s dam or spillway. At lakes that include residential development, government regulations usually forbid the construction of homes below a lake’s maximum elevation.
You can find many of the world’s highest-elevated lakes on LakeLubbers. Lakes with the lowest elevations (known by LakeLubbers) are shown on the final page of that list. Note: For some lakes, "Altitude/Elevation" data is unknown, so this table may display fewer lakes than the total 23 articles we have published for Idaho lakes.
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Below are lakes within USA > US West Region > Idaho > Compared by highest altitude/elevation in feet. This list does not represent all lakes in Idaho, only the 23 Idaho lake articles we have published on the LakeLubbers website.
Lake name  |
Elevation in feet |
Lake description |
|---|---|---|
| Independence Lakes (Idaho, South Central Idaho, US West Region, USA) |
9,180 ft | Independence Lakes in Idaho’s Sawtooth National Forest are at the end of one of south central Idaho’s most popular hiking trails in the Albion Mountai … |
| Palisades Reservoir, ID/WY (Eastern Idaho, Idaho, Southwest Wyoming, US West Region, USA, Wyoming) |
5,620 ft | Palisades Reservoir is set in southeast Idaho, east of Idaho Falls in a beautiful river valley. The southern end of the reservoir extends into Wyoming … |
| Lake Cascade, ID (Idaho, Southwestern Idaho, US West Region, USA) |
4,828 ft | Also known as Cascade Reservoir Lake Cascade (Cascade Reservoir) is the fourth largest lake in Idaho, creating an extensive and diverse recreation site for visitors. Its nearly 30,00 … |
| American Falls Reservoir, ID (Idaho, Southeastern Idaho, US West Region, USA) |
4,354 ft | With more than 56,000 acres of water sport, boating and fishing waters, surrounded by choice camping and picnic areas, American Falls Reservoir in sou … |
| Cocolalla Lake (Idaho, Northern Idaho, US West Region, USA) |
2,208 ft | Cocolalla Lake, located in Idaho’s Northern Region, is an example of the recreational opportunities the Panhandle has to offer. The 805-acre lake is l … |
| Coeur d’Alene Lake, ID (Idaho, Northern Idaho, US West Region, USA) |
2,139 ft | Also known as Lake Coeur d'Alene Nestled at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in the Northern Panhandle of Idaho, 30,000-acre Coeur d’Alene Lake (pronounced Core-de-lane) is a spec … |
| Lake Pend Oreille, ID (Idaho, Northern Idaho, US West Region, USA) |
2,063 ft | Also known as Albeni Falls Dam Set in a valley carved by glaciers from Canada, Lake Pend Oreille (pond-a-RAY) is surrounded by mountains with altitudes exceeding 6,000 feet. Its 85, … |
| Dworshak Reservoir, ID (Idaho, North Central Idaho, US West Region, USA) |
1,600 ft | Dworshak Reservoir is an excellent outdoor recreation site with a great water playground of over 19,000 acres. Located in northern Idaho near the town … |